BUCKEYE LAKE - As work continues on the Buckeye Lake Dam, the state has released more money for the project.

The State Controlling Board approved $24 million for the second phase of the Buckeye Lake Dam project. The project is expected to cost $110 million.

Sen. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, said the money for the project is released as work is done and the $24 million is to keep phase two of the project funded.

Work started on the second phase of the project near the end of June. Crews are constructing the test sections of the supporting buttress, which is made up of soil, water and concrete to add support and stability to the cutoff wall and embankment stability berm that were completed in phase one.

Once the test sections are complete, the supporting buttress has to cure for 30 days and then tests will be done to check for permeability and strength.

If the structure performs as expected, the machine used to build the buttress will travel to North Shore to start work there and then make its way down the 4.1 mile dam to where the test sections are located.

While construction continues, the water level has been allowed to rise at the lake. Since the closure of the Amil Gate Spillway in March, the water has risen to interim summer pool level, which is still about one foot below normal summer pool.

As a result, boats are returning to the water and the businesses on the lake.

"You go by the restaurants and they're pretty packed," Hottinger said. "Life is returning back to normal on the lake and it's great to see."